Agency during grad school

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 19, 2017

So I'm working on a post masters and I start clinical next July. I'm thinking of doing agency so I can still work 1-2 shifts a week and have some cash to support myself. Do you think agency is better than PRN? I just need 6-8 shifts a month at that point to keep afloat for 12 months until I finish NP school? Any advice or tips would be much appreciated.

I think the only factor here is how fast you need the cash. Agency pays daily, twice a week, or weekly. The cancellation policy has always been about the same. A PRN person is treated basically identical to an agency worker with assignments, cancellations, and pay...at least that has been my experience.

One difference, though, is that PRN may require a certain amount of shifts in a specified time frame; whereas most agencies do not. But I don't think that will be a deciding factor for you if you plan to work 6-8 shifts per month.

wayemika · Aug 19, 2017

I think the only factor here is how fast you need the cash. Agency pays daily, twice a week, or weekly. The cancellation policy has always been about the same. A PRN person is treated basically identical to an agency worker with assignments, cancellations, and pay...at least that has been my experience.
One difference, though, is that PRN may require a certain amount of shifts in a specified time frame; whereas most agencies do not. But I don't think that will be a deciding factor for you if you plan to work 6-8 shifts per month.

Ok thank you. That's what I was thinking. I wanted to be sure though. When my clinical starts next summer it runs for a year and I just neeed to make enough to stay afloat. I thought about doing local travel nursing but that would eat into my study time. Agency seems like the best alternative